Capping chuck



H. E. GANTZER CftPPING CHUCK Filed NOV. 9, 1935 ATTORNEY.

Patented May 3, 1938 owned STATES PATENT OFFICE Consolidated Packaging Machinery tion, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Corpora- New York Application November 9, 1935, Serial No. 48,993 11 Claims. (01. 226-86) The present invention relates to an improved capping chuck comprising novel means "to actuate a deforming annulus toapply deformable caps of the type which are locked onto beads, lugs or flanges of containers, The essentials of the chuck comprise three relatively movable parts interconnected by rocking fingers so as to cooperate in applying deforming pressure to the caps.

The basic principles of the present invention may be embodied in many forms of chucks in order that various shapes, sizes and types of deformable caps may be manipulated. One type of cap, known as the slip cover cap, requires pressure to contract a flange of the cap around the edge of the container. Anobject of the present invention is to provide means for applying deforming pressure to the flanges of such caps. Another type of cap, known as the tabskirt cap, has a soft metal flange enclosing a cork or plug and is provided with a tab by means of which the flange is torn to remove the cap. An object of the present invention is to provide means for deforming the skirt of such a cap arotuid a bead at the mouth of the container. In each of the above instances the actuating means for the deforming member is relatively identical,

and the same actuating means may be utilized in chucks adapted to deform other types of caps.

An advantage of the present invention is that the chuck is relatively simple to manufacture and consists of a few rugged parts which withstand all normal operating pressures. A feature of the invention is that the force applied to the capis transmitted thereto through a downwardly thrust plunger, and complicated chuck-jaw contracting and expanding mechanism is avoided.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be realized from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a quarter-section of a modified form of chuck adapted to apply a slip cover; and

Fig. 2 is a quarter-section ofa modified form of chuck adapted to apply a tab skirt cap.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a chuck supporting head H) which is adapted to be connected to a spindle rotatably and slidably mounted on a capping machine, in the manner of the spindles illustrated and claimed in the patent to Robert N. Cundall, No. 1,773,960.

A central plunger I7 is rigidly connected to the head l. An inner annulus or cap-engaging member 45 surrounds the plunger 11' and 'confines a compressibly mounted spring 46 which tends tokeep the members I1 and 45 separated. A ring 47, fixed to the upper end of the member 45 and engaging a ledge on the plunger l'l, prevents separation of the two parts. Member 45 is provided with a plurality of grooves 48 within each of which is inserted a rocking finger 22 extending radially therefrom at each end. The inner ends of the fingers are confined within an annular groove 23 provided at the lower end of plunger IT. The lower end of member 45 is reduced in outside diameter and an intermediate annulus l6, mounted thereon directly beneath the fingers 22', is relatively movable with respect to the member 45. The outer ends of the fingers 22' are confined within an annular groove 25' in an outer member or annulus provided by uniting complementary parts 55 and Part 50 has an inwardly extending flange 52 at its upper end against which springs 53, mounted in pockets on the end of member 45, thrust. Part 5| is provided with an annular ledge 53 at its lower end upon which is fixed a supporting ring 54, the outer surface of which is bevelled to provide a recess to receive the lower bevelled end of annulus 5'. An endless coil spring 55 is mounted upon the supporting ring 5 1 and tends to spread into an annular recess 56 provided in member 5|.

In using the device of Fig. 1, a container 60' having a slip cover 6| loosely positioned thereon is positioned beneath the chuck which-is lowered by suitable mechanism. As the cap engaging head 45 contacts the cap, downward movement thereof will cease and downward movement of the outer annulus 5| will be resisted by springs 53. The spring 46 will permit further downward movement of the plunger l1 relative to the inner and outer annuli 45 and 5|, respectively. In the course of such further movement of the plunger H the fingers 22 will be rocked downwardly about their outer confined ends, causlnga downward movement of the intermediate annulus l5 relative to the inner annulus 45 and outer annulus 5|. This movement will cause the annulus Hi to contract and compress the spring 55 against the inner annulus 45. The fingers 2 2 are longer than the minimum. distance between the inner surfaces of grooves 23' and 25' so that, as :soon as spring 55 is contracted to the maximum extent, or as soon as fingers 22' have so approached the horizontal that further rocking thereof is impossible, the plunger ll, fingers 22', annulus l6, and outer members 50 and 5| will move downward as a unit relative to the member 45 and against the compression of springs 53. The spring 55 (which is preferably formed of square wire in order to present a smooth exterior) rolls or wipes downward over the flange BI and deforms it to the contour of the container 60. Upon upward movement of the head 10, the frictional engagement between the spring 55 and the deformed cap flange 6| will temporarily resist upward movement of the outer annulus 5!. The fingers 22' will therefore be rocked upwardly about their outer ends and their downward pressure upon the annulus IE will be relieved. The expansive force of spring 55 will be exerted to cam the annulus l6 upwardly in contact with the upwardly moving fingers 22'. The frictional engagement of spring 55 with the cap flange 6| will accordingly be relieved and the chuck will be free to rise clear of the capped container without any danger of de-capping the same. The springs 53 and spring 46 will thereupon return the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1.

The modification shown in Fig. 2 comprises a head I0" provided with a flange I l and a plunger H. A member 65, movably supported upon the flange l l", is united to an outer annulus or member 66 provided with an annular groove 25". Also united thereto is a cap-engaging member or abutment 61 which is provided with a plurality of grooves 68 within which are mounted a plu-- rality of rocking fingers 22". Between the capengaging member 6? and the outer member 56, there is positioned an annulus l6 upon which the rocking fingers rest. The annulus I6 is sup ported by a ring of rubber 69, mounted upon a supporting flange 10 threaded onto member 66.

The type of cap known as the tab skirt cap is shown in Fig. 2 and in general comprises a plug enclosed within a skirted cap I6 of thin metal. In using this form of chuck the cap is loosely positioned upon the mouth of the container and the chuck is lowered onto the cap. The rocking fingers in this case tend to unite the entire chuck for movement in unison with the head I0. However, as the cap-engaging member 61 seats the plug 15 firmly onto the mouth of the container 11, the cap-engaging member, and members 65, 6B, and Hi, to which it is united, eventually come to rest. Continued downward movement of head Ill" causes the plunger l'! to rock the fingers 22", resulting in downward movement of annulus l5 and upward movement of flange 10. The rubber ring 69 is thereby vertically squeezed and caused to contract circumferentially, thereby forming the skirt 16 about the bead or lugs at the mouth of the container. Upon upward movement of the head Hi", the parts are restored to normal position by the resiliency of the rubber ring.

In each form heretofore described it will be recognized that an essential, novel mechanism is utilized, comprising a cap-deforming annulus (IE' and I5), rocking fingers (22' and 22") mounted upon the annulus and projecting radially inward and outward therefrom, a central plunger l1 and ll) bearing upon the inner ends of the fingers, and a concentric outer member or annulus provided with a groove (25 and 25") confining the outer ends of the fingers. Other modifications will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, either in shape and form to apply the same types of caps, or in shape and form to apply other types of deformable caps. All such modifications as come within the scope of the following claims are to be considered a part of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger bearing upon the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, and a resilient annular deforming member supported by said outer member in position to surround the flange of a cap inserted in the chuck, said deforming member engaging the lower edge of said annulus to be actuated thereby.

2. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus provided with an inwardly bevelled lower edge, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially there from, a central plunger provided with a groove confining the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, said fingers being longer than the minimum distance between said grooves, and resilient means deformable by said annulus for engagement with the flange of a cap inserted in said chuck.

3. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus provided with an inwardly bevelled lower edge, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger provided with a groove confining the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, said fingers being longer than the minimum distance between said grooves, and an endless coil spring confined within the lower end of said outer member and adapted to be circumferentially contracted by the bevelled edge of said annulus upon movement thereof relative to said outer member.

4. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus provided with an inwardly bevelled lower edge, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger provided with a groove confining the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, said fingers being longer than the minimum distance between said grooves, an endless coil spring confined within the lower end of said outer member and adapted to be circumferentially contracted by the bevelled edge of said annulus upon movement thereof relative to said outer member, and a cap-engaging member supported by said plunger and relatively movable with respect thereto.

5. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus provided with an inwardly bevelled lower edge, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger provided with a groove confining the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, said fingers being longer than the minimum distance between said grooves, an endless coil spring confined within the lower end of said outer member and adapted to be circumferentially contracted by the bevelled edge of said annulus upon movement thereof relative to said outer member, a cap-engaging member supported by said plunger and relatively movable with respect thereto, and

a spring compressibly mounted between said plunger and said cap-engaging member.

6. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger bearing upon the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, and a rubber ring confined between the lower end of said annulus and. said outer member and adapted to be circumferentially contracted upon relative movement of said annulus and said member.

'7. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers comprising a cap-deforming annulus, a plurality of rocking fingers bearing upon said annulus and projecting radially therefrom, a central plunger bearing upon the inner ends of said fingers, a concentric outer member I provided with a groove confining the outer ends of said fingers, a rubber ring confined between the lower end of said annulus and said outer member and adapted to be circumferentially contracted upon relative movement of said annulus and said member, and a cap-engaging member fixed to said outer member and extending into the, space surrounded by said annulus.

8. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers, comprising: inner, intermediate and outer annuli, a compressible capdeforming ring supported'by said outer annulus below and for engagement by the intermediate annulus; means for applying downward pressure to said annuli; resilient means permitting relative movement of the several annuli under the effect of said downward pressure, and means acting under the effect of said downward pressure for first moving said intermediate annulus relative to said outer annulus and then, at a predetermined point, compelling joint downward movement of said intermediate and outer annuli, relative to said inner annulus.

9. A capping chuck adapted toapp-1y deformable caps to containers, comprising: a pair of concentric annuli, the outer annulus supporting a compressible cap-deforming ring below and for engagement by the inner annulus; an abutment on said outer annulus adapted to engage a container and thereby to limit downward movement of said outer annulus; means including a plurality of rockable fingers for applying downward pressure to said annuli; said fingers operating upon engagement of said abutment with a container for causing relative movement between said inner and outer annuli.

10. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers, comprising; an outer annulus, a compressible cap-deforming ring supported by said outer annulus; an inner annulus above said cap-deforming ring and engageable therewith; means including a plurality of rockable fingers for applying downward pressure to said annuli; means to engage the top of the container to resist said downward pressure, said fingers operating upon engagement of said last named means with the top of the container to cause relative movement of said inner and outer annuli.

11. A capping chuck adapted to apply deformable caps to containers, comprising; concentric annuli, the outer of said annuli supporting a compressible cap-deforming ring below and for engagement by the adjacent inner annulus; means including a plurality of rockable fingers for applying downward pressure to said annuli, said means causing, first, joint downward movement of said annuli and then relative movement between said outer annulus and said inner adjacent annulus.

HOWARD E. GANTZER. 

